Proudly Pink

While “hate” is a harsh word, I must confess, I do not like the color pink. At least not soft, begging-to-be-cuddled, baby pink. I prefer bold, bright hot pink….and even that is a stretch.

Maybe it has something to do with my personality. How can a “live it loud and proud” person get cozy with the likes of such a soft-spoken, girly color?

Then again, it could have something to do with my aversion to Pepto Bismol. Having up-chucked the one and only dose to ever pass my lips, I all but hurl at the mere mention of the didn’t-help-me-a-bit chalky pink liquid.

I now face a dilemma. Pink is the signature color for Breast Cancer Awareness. Being a cancer fighter/survivor/warrior princess/loud-mouth-tell-you-all-about-it chick, I am surrounded by and expected to flaunt the color pink. What’s a girl to do? Especially a girl that most often chooses the route of non-conformity?

She simply got over it.

I am here to proclaim I am now a proud proponent of the color pink!

October is just around the corner.

(Yeah…like how in the hell did we get from January to October in only a few weeks? Cause I seriously missed a few months in there somewhere. Must have something to do with the fact I packed up a too-big-for-me house and moved to my single-girl-townhouse, purged more sh!t than any one person should be allowed to ever admit to owning, took two short but sweet vacations and helped plan my son’s upcoming wedding.Okay. So I now know how I missed April – September.And why I am in need of a long winter’s nap.)

October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A month where pink is everywhere! As a means of promoting my Proudly Pink status, I am dedicating the entire month of my blog blather to Breast Cancer Awareness. And just like me and my not-so-normal ways, I am approaching the subject a little differently.

To be perfectly honest, I naively thought everyone knew about breast cancer…at least the basic facts. Yet I’ve come to realize, in spite of all the attention given to this gnarly beast, far too many are still unaware of the severity of this health epidemic that robs women, and even men, of so much. Often times, it wins the war regardless of how tough a fight its victim fights. It can take, at the very least, one’s sense of security to, at the very worst, one’s life.

Yes.

Breast cancer kills.

Throughout my treatment and beyond, I have had many well intended comments come my way regarding the outcome of my journey. Many made mention of the tough road I would have but the assumption was that I would most certainly win the fight. The reason being, many now believe everyone beats breast cancer these days.

Sure, survival rates are higher than in the past. Sure, with early detection it IS beatable. And most certainly, great strides have been made through research and drug development allowing positive prognoses in instances that were previously dire. But I fear these statements elude to the assumption that breast cancer is more a nuisance than a killer. When that occurs, I also fear we will begin to slack up on our preventative care. We will let down our guard and the enemy will have free reign to inflict a holy massacre.

Breast cancer awareness has been prolific. Many celebrities and otherwise lesser known fighters have worked hard to spread the word. I don’t want to see us take a step backward or their hard work be for naught. For that reason alone, I want to devote an entire month to telling the story of breast cancer. I want to make it real. I want to share the words of those affected by and living with this monster.

I reached out to several friends, family members and cancer survivors asking for their help in this endeavor. And they graciously agreed. Each will share their story…their insight. Some have come face to face with breast cancer. Others live in fear of an attack. Others have watched as loved ones fought. All have something to share. I will also be offering stories from my journey through and beyond the fight. There could even be a humorous tale or two thrown in for good measure.

Please join me throughout October in spreading the word. Please support me as I try to offer you a view into the world of breast cancer. Please follow along, comment and share links with all of your friends. If we can make a difference, even if only for one person, it will be more than worth the effort!

Hi Lisa,As Usual, You have nailed it!Great post, and warrior/princess is a great description! I look forward to your blogs this month, I am sure you will capture the intent of what this awareness campaign is all about..

Interesting that October is also the month of Halloween.. Combining pink and halloween could spell trouble for TP.

I am so blessed to know you and your story. Great post. I will read your blogs this month and will post on FB for my friends and family to ready. Also we have a women’s group at church called “The Nest”. I will post on it too. Love to you and thank you.

Pink is not my colour of choice either…I’ve never been a Barbie girl!! But…every October I happily sport pink in the shape of a ribbon to show my support for Cancer Research. Your writing is sure to inspire & inform…good for you & you can be sure I will be directing my blogfriends your way! 😀

Thank you Sandi! You have always been such a friend…always offering words of encouragement. Not one comment has gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you for sharing this and for always hanging with me! 🙂

Have kept up with your journey through Alice R. Have always thought you were a beautiful woman……that opinion hasn’t changed. Am so glad you are willing to give pink a chance. It’ll look good on you & all the others you will touch with your heart & honest presentation. Blessings to you.

Thank you for commenting and for sharing! (I hate to say this but the comment only shows as coming from “anonymous”. Just letting you know I would comment more specifically but I have no clue who left this comment. LOL! But it is still greatly appreciated!)

As always, beautifully written and so powerful. I am looking forward to more of these wonderful Blog post. I am here for you, will support you and help you in anyway I can, and I will even wear pink if it helps to bring awareness! Love and Support you Lisa! 🙂

Love it!!! and you! I know what you mean, I sometimes feel like throwing out everything pink in my closet and sometimes feel the need to wear a little something pink everyday. I feel like people look at “pink” badges and wonder did she does she or will she? You know I’v not got a shy bone in my body and have never met a stranger so am happy to share my story with anybody. Love ya my pink buddy!!!Leslie Young

Lisa, You are a real trooper. I love pink. Last October, the Y at Woodfin had a board to put ribbons up for breast cancer. I put one up for you and will do so this year. My baby granddaughter loves pink. You would not believe her pink room. Love you and your family Lisa. I wish you the best. Have a blessed day.

Thank you for taking the time to read…for commenting…for the pink ribbon you placed for me…especially for always being so supportive. You have the most beautiful family. I bet your granddaughter looks adorable in pink. And I would LOVE to see her pink room. I love the color. Honestly, I do. Just not on me. 🙂 Wishing you a blessed day too!

Lisa, I think you are and always have been a remarkable woman. Your strength shows in you and your children, who are also amazing. I have never had breast cancer. And don’t think I would handle it as strong and graceful as you did. I think you are amazing, and sharing your story can help so many people. It’s great! and I also am not a pink kind of girl. Hope you have a Blessed day.

Robin, what a wonderful comment! While I am definitely a true country girl with a stubborn streak a mile wide, the strength it took to get through treatment and beyond (yes, cancer is ALWAYS with you) comes from God alone…from the support of friends (like you) and family. The kind of peace I had/have only comes from Him. Thank you so very much for commenting…for following along. Hugs and many blessings to you!

I'm Lisa,
a single, stubborn mountain girl, believer in fairy tales, empty nester, Christ follower, cancer survivor ... and then some.
You can read more about the girl behind the computer screen here!